Hardworking with the ball and outrageously feeble with the bat, Chris Martin was the most consistent thing about the New Zealand pace attack in the first decade of the 2000s. A tall, angular fast-medium bowler with a high leap as he approached the crease, Martin relied more on accuracy and gentle seam movement than pace or prodigious swing.

He would have been an ideal second lead in the armoury of captains Stephen Fleming and Daniel Vettori, but Shane Bond's frequent injuries meant Martin was often thrust into the role of No. 1 fast man. The 11 wickets he took against South Africa in Auckland in March 2004, in his first Test for nearly two years, showed that he could bowl New Zealand to victories, but tearing through batting line-ups was not his usual modus operandi and he has often had to bowl long spells à la Ewen Chatfield.

By the end of the decade Martin was New Zealand's fourth-highest Test wicket-taker of all time but he was equally well known for his comically inept batting. Getting Martin out was as difficult as making a cup of tea and often took less time. No New Zealand player has made more Test ducks than Martin, who did not make a double-figure score until his 36th Test, against Bangladesh. His inability to put bat on ball has cost him the chance to play more one-day and Twenty20 cricket.

With New Zealand finding a new crop of fast bowlers, Martin announced his retirement from all forms in cricket in July 2013, at the age of 38.
Brydon Coverdale

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Timeline

November 17-21, 2000 A promising debut

Chris Martin makes his Test debut at the age of 25 in Bloemfontein in a losing cause, but shows plenty of promise, taking 3 for 89 in South Africa's march to 471 in the first innings. Gary Kirsten, Neil McKenzie and Shaun Pollock are his victims, and he follows that up with the wicket of Jacques Kallis in the second innings.

December 9, 2000 The first duck

The start of something special, for he goes on to become a rarity in modern cricket - the classical tail-ender, joining the elite list of Courtney Walsh, Bhagwat Chandrasekar and Glenn McGrath. He starts that journey when he is bowled by Jacques Kallis in Johannesburg.

December 29, 2000 A maiden five-for

He takes a step towards cementing his place as New Zealand's opening bowler, grabbing his first five-wicket haul against Zimbabwe in a drawn Test in Wellington. As his career progresses, he develops a preference for home conditions where he has a majority of his success.

Martin's ODI career gets off to a tepid start as he concedes 53 runs in seven wicketless overs against Zimbabwe in Taupo.

March 2001-May 2002 The slump

After grabbing 16 wickets in his first four Tests, Martin ends up with just 18 more in his next seven and is dropped for almost two years amid competition from Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey.

March 18-22, 2004 A stunning comeback

Martin marks a triumphant return to international cricket with 11 wickets in the Auckland Test against South Africa to level the series. He takes 6 for 76 and 5 for 104 to help New Zealand to a nine-wicket win. He finishes with 18 wickets in the series.

Martin continues to thrive in friendly swinging conditions at home, picking up 6 for 54, his best figures Test figures, to cut into Sri Lanka in Wellington and set up an innings win and, with it, victory in the series.

May 6, 2006 Spirited effort away

The Wanderers serves as the stage for one of his finest overseas performances, as he takes 5 for 37 to bowl out South Africa for 186 in reply to New Zealand's 119. However, the visitors lose the game after South Africa manage to scale down a testing 217 in their chase.

December 7, 2006 Hundred Test wickets

A major landmark for Martin in Christchurch in his 32nd Test, as wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene becomes Martin's 100th Test scalp, caught by Jamie How.

Another landmark, as Martin gets to his first double-figure score, in his 36th Test. He makes an unbeaten 12 against Bangladesh in Dunedin, and lives up to expectations with the ball, taking six wickets in the Test to contribute to a nine-wicket win.

December 2008 Dropped again

Martin is left out of the Test series against West Indies as a result of another slump in form and is replaced by Mark Gillespie. However, he makes his return in March 2009 against India.

March 2009 Recalled despite poor domestic season

Martin is recalled to the New Zealand Test team for the home series against India notwithstanding his rather average domestic performance.

Martin dismisses Yuvraj Singh in the second Test at Napier in the home series against India to become the fifth New Zealand bowler to take 150 Test wickets. Takes three crucial wickets to help New Zealand make India follow-on.

November, 2010 Leads pace attack in India

Martin takes nine wickets in New Zealand's tour of India, including a five-for in the first Test at Ahmedabad. He is the most successive pace bowler in the series, from either side.

November, 2011 Joins the 200-club

Martin claims Kyle Jarvis as his 200th Test victim in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe. Becomes only the fourth New Zealand bowler to take 200 Test wickets.

Martin becomes the first recipient of the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal - an award for the best player of the year. Also receives the Winsor Cup for best first-class bowling in New Zealand.

December, 2011 Contributes to win in Australia

Makes a useful contribution in New Zealand's first win in Australia in 26 years by taking 4 for 90 in the match. Takes 8 for 179 on the tour, partially makes amends for his unenviable record against Australia.

January 28, 2012 Best career figures

Martin takes for 6 for 26 - his career-best figures - against a hapless Zimbabwe in the one-off Test at Napier. Plays a pivotal role by taking 8 for 31 in the match as Zimbabwe are bowled out twice in a day.

Starts off the NZ-SA Test series at home with some incisive bowling - dismissing Smith, Kallis and AB - on the first day of the first Test, but ends the series on a rather indifferent note. Finishes with eight wickets in the series, taking his tally of wickets against South Africa to 52.

Jan 2, 2013 A dubious record

Martin is run-out for his 36th duck in the last match of his Test career. Overtakes Glenn McGrath - in the list of most ducks in Test career - to the second place. Only Courtney Walsh has more - 43. Ends with 55 wickets against South Africa - the most by any New Zealand bowler.

July 2, 2013 Announces retirement

Martin announces retirement from all forms of cricket. Ends his Test career with 233 wickets, the third highest by a New Zealand bowler. Ends his batting career as an epitome of the no.11 batsman - with seven pairs and 36 ducks.